Review of House of Sand and Fog (2003) by Wyatt B — 11 Sep 2008

Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connelly star in this superbly acted tragedy about an ownership dispute over a small beach house.

Kingsley is Colonel Behrani, a legal US citizen from Iran. His name is constantly butchered. He is an accomplished man who has been working in horrible minimum wage jobs, despite skills he's sure to have. He has kept track of every penny he has spent. He has a goal. Finally, he earns enough money, proudly quits his jobs, and buys a nice beach-side house from a county auction, planning to resell at a much higher cost after adding a few amenities. A shrewd, wise investment.

However, the county has made a mistake. Kathy (Connelly), the now-former owner, has ignored all incoming mail warning her of eviction, but does not owe the taxes she is accused of owing. She is evicted. Behrani puts all of his money into buying the house, buying it from the county before Kathy has a chance to legally get it back. Suddenly Behrani is on the good side of the law. Kathy is crushed, desperate, homeless and suicidal.

It's such a simple story and it is such a powerful movie. I found myself feeling sorry for both parties - Kathy is left broke and homeless, Behrani is expected to sell the property back to the county for the price he paid when he can get three times that amount on the open market. Behrani is relying on the profit to support his family, and in the eyes of the law has done nothing wrong. Kathy meets a man, a police officer who assisted in the eviction, who seems to have good intentions. It might end up being the worst thing for her.

The situation spirals. Things get out of control. The end is devastating.

Shohreh Aghdashloo as Behrani's wife Nadi was incredible in this film and deserved the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in my mind (she was nominated). You feel for her character so much. Nadi is such a sweet, tender woman, inviting Kathy in the house and treating her as the honored guest. Aghdashloo is so effective. She breaks your heart.

I've always considered this movie one of the more underrated out there. I consider it a miniature masterpiece. It has a powerful, upsetting ending that will stick with you... perhaps, for the better. Some of the social commentary is hard to take. In many ways, this movie has the saddest ending of any movie I've seen.

[b]Summary:[/b] What starts as a simple property dispute spirals out of control. With no clear antagonist or protagonist, the viewer doesn't really know what to think. The movie also touches on several issues that might just make you think about how to treat the next Iranian you see.

[i]"Do you understand? Do not feel bad. Americans they do not deserve what they have. They have the eyes of small children who are forever looking for the next source of distraction, entertainment, sweet taste in the mouth. We are not like them. We know rich opportunities when we see them and do not throw away God's blessing."[/i] - Colonel Behrani.

[b]8.4/10.[/b].